Westwood suffers food poisoning bout

Lee Westwood, who led the Masters with nine holes to play 12 months ago, has fallen ill with food poisoning just before this year's tournament.

The 26-year-old from Worksop cancelled a scheduled press conference today after vomiting following his Monday practice round.

Manager Andrew Chandler, who also handles Darren Clarke, was anxiously waiting to see how quickly Westwood recovered.

"It's America - he's always ill over here," said Chandler.

Westwood eventually finished sixth last year, still his best-ever performance in a major.

He talked of feeling sick over the last nine holes then, but that was caused not by ill-health, but by the pressure of the occasion.

"My stomach was in knots and it makes you feel sick - even the Ryder Cup was not as bad as that," he said. "But I loved every minute of it and I can't wait for it again."

Westwood has embarked on a new diet in the past two months with the help of sports nutritionist Gill Horgan.

"I realised when I suffered dehydration at the US PGA (in Chicago) last August and that positive action was required to help me perform at my best.

"I'm keen to get started as I know I've got to be in top shape for the season ahead.

"Getting into a routine with fitness and healthy eating habits is vital and with Gill assessing my diet and providing the nutritional advice, I can focus on my goal to become number one in Europe this year."

Only two weeks ago at the Players Championship in Florida, Westwood admitted that keeping to the diet was "almost impossible" in American restaurants.